Man strings hoses together to protect his house, neighbor’s home from wildfires

ALTO, N.M. (CNN) - With two wildfires burning across the southern part of New Mexico, one man did his best to keep the flames at bay on Monday night.

The 66-year-old said he attempted to put out fires near his vacation house in Alto for four-and-a-half hours.

He strung together 300-foot hoses to spray hot spots around his property and his neighbors’ houses. The man was able to keep them safe for the time being.

On Tuesday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache reservation.

The two fast-growing fires have been tearing across the tribal reservation, prompting thousands of residents to evacuate.

At least one person has died in the fires.